Length adjusting mechanism for an elongate strap

ABSTRACT

A length adjusting mechanism for an elongate strap having a first connecting assembly and a second connecting assembly that is selectively releasably engageable with the first connecting assembly and connectable to an elongate strap. The first connecting assembly has a first frame defining a mounting base and a keeper that is mounted to the first frame for movement between a securing position and a release position. The second connecting assembly has a second frame that has a strap receiving assembly relative to which a portion of an elongate strap operatively connected to the second connecting assembly can be moved to thereby selectively change an effective length of an elongate strap with the first and second connecting assemblies engaged. The keeper in the securing position releasably maintains the first and second connecting assemblies together.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to elongate, flexible straps and, more particularly, to a length adjusting mechanism for selectively varying the effective length of a strap.

2. Background Art

Elongate flexible straps are used extensively for many different purposes in both civilian and military applications. Most applications require that the effective length of the elongate strap be selectively variable.

In some applications, particularly on military equipment, there are space constraints on the length adjusting mechanism. Space may dictate a maximum overall dimension for the length adjusting mechanism. Given conventional designs of such length adjusting mechanisms, when space is at a premium, there is often a limitation as to the overall amount of length adjustment that is possible.

In addition, some length adjusting mechanisms require a quick release feature. The incorporation of this feature may add further to the overall dimension of the length adjusting mechanism that may further challenge designers to make a suitably functioning length adjusting mechanism within a limited available space.

Typically, in military applications, the quick release mechanisms are made with forged parts that are generally relatively expensive to manufacture.

The industry continues to seek out designs of length adjusting mechanisms that are functionally effective, durable and reliable, compact in overall size, and capable of being manufactured at a controlled cost level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form, the invention is directed to a length adjusting mechanism for an elongate strap. The length adjusting mechanism includes a first connecting assembly and a second connecting assembly selectively releasably engageable with the first connecting assembly and connectable to an elongate strap. The first connecting assembly has a first frame defining a mounting base for the length adjusting mechanism. The first connecting assembly further includes a keeper that is mounted to the first frame for movement between a securing position and a release position. The second connecting assembly includes a second frame that has a strap receiving assembly relative to which a portion of an elongate strap, operatively connected to the second connecting assembly, can be moved to thereby selectively change an effective length of an elongate strap with the first and second connecting assemblies engaged. The keeper in the securing position cooperates with the second connecting assembly to releasably maintain the first and second connecting assemblies engaged.

In one form, the length adjusting mechanism is provided in combination with an elongate strap operatively connected to the second connecting assembly.

In one form, the first frame is defined by a formed flat sheet.

The second frame may be defined by a formed flat sheet.

In one form, each of the first and second frames is defined by a formed flat sheet.

In one form, the keeper is connected to the first frame for pivoting movement relative to the first frame around an axis between the securing and release positions.

In one form, the second frame has spaced side walls between which the first frame resides with the first and second connecting assemblies engaged.

In one form, the first frame has spaced side walls that reside one each adjacent to the spaced side walls on the second frame with the first and second connecting assemblies engaged.

In one form, the first frame has spaced flat side walls and a pin extends through the spaced flat side walls and mounts the keeper for pivoting movement above an axis between the securing and release positions.

In one form, the second frame has first and second spaced side walls that are maintained together by a plurality of pins that make up the strap receiving assembly.

In one form, the mounting base and spaced flat side walls are formed as a single piece.

In one form, the single piece is a formed flat sheet.

In one form, the first and second frames have “U”-shaped portions that nest, one within the other.

In one form, one of the pins is a locking pin that is received in a receptacle on the first frame with the keeper in the securing position.

In one form, the keeper cams the locking pin into the receptacle as the keeper is changed from its release position into its securing position.

In one form, the keeper is normally biased towards its securing position.

In one form, the plurality of pins consists of at least three pins.

In one form, the locking pin and another one of the pins are fixed to each of the first and second spaced side walls to define a continuous fixed loop.

In one form, the first frame has a flat base from which spaced side walls extend so that the flat base and spaced side walls define a “U” shape. The mounting base resides in a first plane and the flat base on the first frame resides in a second plane. The first and second planes are at an angle with respect to each other.

In one form, the length adjusting mechanism is provided in combination with a rigid support to which the mounting base is fixedly secured through a fastener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a prior art length adjusting mechanism for an elongate strap;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a length adjusting mechanism with a cooperating elongate strap, according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of one specific form of length adjusting mechanism, according to the present invention and as shown in FIG. 2, and with a keeper thereon shown in solid lines in a securing position;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the length adjusting mechanism in FIG. 3 with the keeper in a release position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, perspective view of the length adjusting mechanism in the FIG. 3 state;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, perspective view of the length adjusting mechanism in FIG. 5 with connecting assemblies thereon separated from each other; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the length adjusting mechanism in FIGS. 3-6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A conventional length adjusting mechanism with a quick release feature is shown at 10 in FIG. 1 in association with a flexible, elongate strap 12. The length adjusting mechanism 10 consists of a first connecting assembly 14 and a second connecting assembly 16 that is releasably engageable with the first connecting assembly 14.

The first connecting assembly 14 has a first frame 18 that is defined as a single forged part. The first frame 18 defines a closed ring 20 extending around an elongate through opening 22. A length of strap material 24 is directed through the opening 22 and doubled back upon itself at one end 26 of the strap length 24. The opposite end 28 of the strap length 24 is extended through an elongate slot 30 in a mounting base 32. The end 28 is doubled back upon itself so that there are three stacked strap layers between the first connecting assembly 14 and mounting base 32. The overlapped portions of the strap length 24 are fixed together through lines of stitching at 34 to thereby maintain a selected, desired strap length L between the first connecting assembly 14 and mounting base 32.

The mounting base 32 has an opening 36 to accept a conventional type fastener 38 that is used to fix the mounting base 32 to an appropriate support 40.

The first connecting assembly 14 defines a separate closed ring 42 surrounding a slot 44 that accepts a leading end 46 on the second connecting assembly 16.

The second connecting assembly 16 defines a further closed ring 48 bounding an elongate slot 50 that receives the strap body 52. The end region 54 of the strap body 52 is passed through the slot 50 and doubled back against itself. The overlapped portions of the end region 54 of the strap body 52 are engaged with a conventional adjusting slide ring 56. The overlapped portions of the end region 54 of the strap body 52 are slidable through the adjusting slide ring 56 that frictionally maintains the overlapped portions together to maintain an effective length for the strap 12 that is charged through manipulation of the strap body within the slide ring 56.

The first and second connecting assemblies 14, 16 are engaged by directing the leading end 46 on the second connecting assembly 16 through the slot 44 in the first connecting assembly 14 so that an opening 58, bounded by the leading end 46 and ring 42, is defined. A hook 60 on a keeper 62 can then be directed through the opening 58 to maintain the engaged first and second connecting assemblies 14, 16 together against separation.

The keeper 62 has a body 64 that is pivotably connected to the first connecting assembly 14 for movement around an axis 66. The body 64 is pivotable oppositely around the axis 66 to selectively place the keeper in: a) a securing position wherein the hook extends through the opening 58; and b) a release position wherein the hook 60 is moved out of the opening 58, thereby to allow the second connecting assembly 16 to be withdrawn from the slot 44, whereupon the first and second connecting assemblies 14, 16 can be fully separated from each other.

The end of the strap 12, remote from the second connecting assembly 16, can be suitably connected to any component 68 as a particular application may dictate.

In FIG. 2, a length adjusting mechanism for an elongate strap, according to the present invention, is shown in schematic form at 70. The length adjusting mechanism 70 consists of first and second connecting assemblies 72, 74 that are releasably engageable. The first connecting assembly 72 is suitably connected to a support 76. The second connecting assembly 74 is connected to a strap 78 that in turn is connected to a component 80. It is conceivable that the components could be engaged to produce a continuous loop. In either event, the function of the inventive structure is substantially the same.

One specific form of length adjusting mechanism 70 is shown in FIGS. 3-7. The first and second connecting assemblies 72, 74 are releasably engageable and maintained together through a repositionable keeper 82. The keeper 82 is connected to a frame 84 on the first connecting assembly 72 for pivoting movement around an axis 86 between a securing position, as shown in solid lined positions in FIG. 3, and a release position, as shown in dotted lines in that same Figure.

The frame 84 has a main, U-shaped portion 88 that extends into an offset mounting base 90 that is suitably connected to the support 76. The mounting base 90 is connected, directly or indirectly, to the support 76. In one preferred form, the mounting base 90 is fixedly secured by a fastener 91 directly to a rigid support. The U-shaped portion 88 has a flat base 92 from which spaced side walls 94, 96 project. The base 92 is substantially flat and resides within a plane that is angled with respect to a plane within which the mounting base 90 resides.

The keeper 82 has a body 98 with spaced legs 100, 102 that loosely straddle the sidewalls 94, 96 on the frame 84. A mounting post 104 extends through the legs 100, 102 and the side walls 94, 96, thereby to interconnect the frame 84 and keeper 82 so that the keeper 82 can pivot relative to the frame 84 around the axis 86. Separate torsion coil springs 106, of like construction, wrap around the mounting post 104 and engage the keeper 82 and frame 84 and are loaded to normally bias the keeper 82 towards the securing position therefor.

The second connecting assembly 74 has a frame 108 consisting of spaced side walls 110, 112 that are connected by first and second knurled pins 114, 116 and a locking pin 118. The locking pin 118 and pin 114 are fixed to the side walls 110, 112 to define a continuous fixed loop shape. The side walls 110, 112 are bent at a mid-length location so that a first spacing S1 between side wall portions 120, 122, connected by the locking pin 118, is greater than a second spacing S2 between side wall portions 124, 126, where the knurled pins 114, 116 are located.

The side wall portions 124, 126 and the knurled pins 114, 116 define a strap releasing assembly relative to which a portion of the strap 78, operatively connected to the second connecting assembly 74, can be moved to thereby selectively change an effective length of the strap 78 with the first and second connecting assemblies 72, 74 engaged. More specifically, the strap 78 is routed through the strap receiving assembly by strategically wrapping the strap 78 around the pins 114, 116, as seen clearly in FIG. 3, in a generally conventional manner used to frictionally secure straps like the strap 78. The pin 116 is translatable in a closed slot 127 defined in the side wall portions 120, 122 to permit the strap 78 to be routed and moved to effect the desired effective length adjustment thereof. With the first and second connecting assemblies 72, 74 engaged, a hand hold 128 at the strap end can be pulled to effectively shorten the length of the strap 78. Once the hand hold 128 is released, the frictional engagement between the strap 78 and holding pins 114, 116 effectively maintains length.

With the first and second connecting assemblies 72, 74 engaged, the side walls 94, 96 on the frame 84 reside between the portions 120, 122 of the side walls 110, 112 on the second connecting assembly 74. To engage the connecting assemblies 72, 74, the locking pin 118 on the second connecting assembly 74 is directed into a U-shaped receptacle 130 defined cooperatively by like cutouts 131 (one shown) in the side walls 94, 96 on the first connecting assembly 72. Once the locking pin 118 is seated in the receptacle 130, the keeper 82 is allowed to pivot to its securing position. In the securing position therefor, curved edges 136 on the legs 100, 102 wrap partially around the locking pin 118 and capture the locking pin 118 in conjunction with oppositely opening curved edges 138 (one shown) bounding the receptacle 130. The edges 138 are configured to cam the locking pin 118 towards the base of the receptacle 130 as the keeper 82 pivots towards its securing position.

The body 98 has an extension 140 with a platform 142 that can be pressed upon by a user to pivot the keeper 82 from its securing position to its release position. The body 98 joins the legs 100, 102 to define a “U”-shaped portion within which the “U” shape of the frame portion 88 nests.

The frames 84, 108 are each configured so that they are each capable of being made from a formed flat sheet. All of the aforementioned sidewalls 94, 96, 110, 112 thus have a generally flat shape. Similarly, the keeper 82 can be made from a formed flat sheet so that the legs 100, 102 thereon are likewise flat.

With the first and second connecting assemblies 72, 74 engaged, the side walls 94, 96; 110, 112 are in overlapped relationship to allow a compact lengthwise dimension for the engaged connecting assemblies 72, 74. Size control is further facilitated by forming the mounting base 90 as part of the frame 84 on the first connecting assembly 72 as compared to the three part construction shown for corresponding parts in FIG. 1.

The side walls 94, 96, 110, 112 may be in adjacent relationship to offer a compact width dimension for the joined connecting assemblies 72, 74.

By allowing a relatively small combined lengthwise dimension L1 of the engaged connecting assemblies 72, 74, the length adjusting mechanism 70 can be placed in relatively tight spaces while potentially retaining the ability to offer a significant adjustment range.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the broad concepts comprehended by the invention. 

1. A length adjusting mechanism for an elongate strap, the length adjusting mechanism comprising: a first connecting assembly; and a second connecting assembly selectively releasably engageable with the first connecting assembly and connectable to an elongate strap, the first connecting assembly comprising a first frame defining a mounting base for the length adjusting mechanism, the first connecting assembly further comprising a keeper that is mounted to the first frame for movement between a securing position and a release position, the second connecting assembly comprising a second frame that has a strap receiving assembly relative to which a portion of an elongate strap operatively connected to the second connecting assembly can be moved to thereby selectively change an effective length of an elongate strap with the first and second connecting assemblies engaged, the keeper in the securing position cooperating with the second connecting assembly to releasably maintain the first and second connecting assemblies engaged.
 2. The length adjusting mechanism according to claim 1 in combination with an elongate strap operatively connected to the second connecting assembly.
 3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the first frame is defined by a formed flat sheet.
 4. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the second frame is defined by a formed flat sheet.
 5. The combination according to claim 2 wherein each of the first and second frames is defined by a formed flat sheet.
 6. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the keeper is connected to the first frame for pivoting movement relative to the first frame around an axis between the securing and release positions.
 7. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the second frame comprises spaced side walls between which the first frame resides with the first and second connecting assemblies engaged.
 8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein the first frame comprises spaced side walls that reside one each adjacent to the spaced side walls on the second frame with the first and second connecting assemblies engaged.
 9. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the first frame comprises spaced flat side walls and a pin extends through the spaced flat side walls and mounts the keeper for pivoting movement above an axis between the securing and release positions.
 10. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the second frame comprises first and second spaced side walls that are maintained together by a plurality of pins that make up the strap receiving assembly.
 11. The combination according to claim 9 wherein the mounting base and spaced flat side walls are formed as a single piece.
 12. The combination according to claim 11 wherein the single piece is a formed flat sheet.
 13. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the first and second frames have “U”-shaped portions that nest, one within the other.
 14. The combination according to claim 10 wherein one of the pins is a locking pin that is received in a receptacle on the first frame with the keeper in the securing position.
 15. The combination according to claim 14 wherein the keeper cams the locking pin into the receptacle as the keeper is changed from its release position into its securing position.
 16. The length adjusting mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the keeper is normally biased towards its securing position.
 17. The combination according to claim 10 wherein the plurality of pins comprises at least three pins.
 18. The combination according to claim 14 wherein the locking pin and another one of the pins are fixed to each of the first and second spaced side walls to define a continuous fixed loop.
 19. The length adjusting mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the first frame has a flat base from which spaced side walls extend so that the flat base and spaced side walls define a “U” shape, the mounting base resides in a first plane and the flat base on the first frame resides in a second plane and the first and second plane are at an angle with respect to each other.
 20. The length adjusting mechanism according to claim 1 in combination with a rigid support to which the mounting base is fixedly secured through a fastener. 